Why, God?

This is one of those days when you simply have to ask, “Why, God?” Hate crimes are horrific. A hate crime in a church is unexplainable. So, we simply find ourselves asking God how can He possible let this happen.

Reflecting on the tragedy in Charleston is not easy because there are no easy answers. And if you think there is no solace, imagine being in the community today or a relative of one of those people killed as they studied the Word of God in Bible study. Why, God? How can you let this happen?

Perspective may help a little bit. Why did God, the Father, sit by as they nailed His Son to a cross? Why does God sit by as children throughout the world are victimized every minute of every day. Molestations, rapes, and killings—Why does God do nothing?

If we believe that our time on this earth is all there is, then we will never find an answer to, “Why, God?” If we understand that our time on earth is just a brief flicker in a life of eternity we can at least find some solace. And if we understand that it’s us and not God doing or not doing, we don’t even ask “Why, God?”.

God doesn’t cause evil. We either do, by giving into evil, or closing our eyes to it. God gave us free will. Each one of us can make this world a better place, if we choose to make it a better place. What we do, how we act during our brief time on this earth determines where we spend eternity.

Debbie Dills did something to make this world a better place yesterday. She risked herself by following and turning in Dylann Roof, the suspected gunman in the Charleston shooting.

We need to start asking ourselves, “Why, me?” not, “Why, God?” It’s not about what God does or doesn’t do, it’s about what we do or don’t do. God is waiting for us in eternity. What we do or don’t do in this brief lifetime on earth determines if we will spend eternity with God.

Spend at least a moment of silence, prayer, and reflection today for all those touched by the events in Charleston, and how we react to them. Ask yourself, “What do I do or don’t do to make this world a better place?”